Sponsor Spotlight:
At several of the previous TPC meetings involving Raspberry Pi (RPi) we talked a lot about the hardware and software and managed to guide all the newbies through the process of installing a basic Linux distribution and then get them acquainted with the applications and utilities required to leverage the potential of RPi. However precious few projects have been launched and pursued to the point where they make good show and tell material.
So to speed up the process at this next meeting Michael Wright, TPC President, will introduce a sensor/LCD kit with all of the fixing necessary to build a small display device for temperature, humidity, time and date that runs on RPi. The kit includes a temperature /humidity sensor, a 16x2 LCD display , a small pcb , ribbon cables, wires, headers and jumper sockets, a case, directions for the layout and a python program that takes readings from the sensor and system clock and then renders this info on the LCD.
The heart of this kit is a pcb that serves as a customizable patch board to connect the header pins on RPi , the sensor and the LCD . Signals and power are carried to the pcb via ribbon cables. Various header pins will be soldered to the pcb to hold the cables and jumper wires. So the first caveat is “Some assembly required”. The Hacker Space has high quality soldering stations and some THS members will be around to lend assistance to those who need it.
The kits will be available for 2000 yen (the participants provide their own RPi). The plan is to have 8 kits prepared for the meeting as that is the limit that the Hacker Space can accommodate workspace-wise. Those who bought their RPi through the TPC will get first priority to buy a kit and put it together at the meeting. Beyond the 8 there may be standing room only but you are welcome to join us and observe the goings on. Many details will be presented that will be useful in any RPi GPIO project. Dress warm and bring a laptop to manage your RPi in headless mode through the ethernet connection. Actually if you plan to attend and want to work on a kit , it would be appreciated if you would send a confirmation email to Michael, michael [AT| [TPC_domain_name] . If the number expressing interest is substantially more than 8 then we will hold a second session on the following Friday, March 14th.
The venue for the TPC March monthly meeting is the Tokyo Hacker Space. Last summer THS made the move to a new location in the Nogizaka neighborhood. It is just a three minute walk from the Nogizaka Subway Station on the Chiyoda line. Use Exit Number 3. At the top of the stairs reverse your direction and walk toward the Bridal House. You can’t miss the vertically stacked display windows with wedding gowns. After about 70 meters this road ends in a T intersection. Take a left turn. Walk this road for just under 100 meters to the second intersection to the right. THS is around the corner on the right at the second wide garage bay door/blue tarp. There is a THS banner at the entrance.
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TIME: Doors open at 7 pm ; We will get started around 7:30
COST: General Admission, 1000 yen ; THS members, free.
VENUE: This meetings is being held at the Tokyo Hacker Space space
near Nogizaka Station. The THS web site has written directions as well
and a map. http://tokyohackerspace.org
Between meetings, you can keep up with what is happening with TPC by participating in the club newsgroups and mailing lists This is a handy way to stay informed, look for information, or share your knowledge and tips.
